Mold Remediation In Lancaster, PA
Signs You Have This Problem
Lancaster may not be the biggest city in Pennsylvania, but it still plays home to much of the state’s rich history, and has seen a lot of change, whether it’s being the former capital of the state, or even the entire country for just a single day. There are plenty of good reasons to enjoy living in Lancaster, and for a small city, there’s still a lot do throughout the entire year, like the Summer Music Festival or the Magical Boulevard Christmas. It’s a great place to live, and its residents can be proud of their city, but, as with a lot of buildings—especially historical ones—there may be a problem literally festering in out-of-the-way places that no one thinks about. Mold isn’t a glamorous topic to deal with, but it can turn into a serious problem if left unchecked. That’s where Lancaster mold remediation experts come in.
The Problem With Mold
Mold doesn’t start out as a dangerous situation, but, depending on how long it is allowed to develop, and the healthy sensitivity of residents within a home, it can be serious in the long run. Mold has a higher likelihood of affecting the very young, or old in terms of general health, but anyone with allergies, asthma, or sensitivity to airborne contaminants may be susceptible to the effects of mold in a home. Mold is a fungus, and it reproduces by spreading spores into the air. As a colony grows, it disperses even more spores. These are some of the chronic symptoms you should keep an eye out for in your home if you can find no other source.
Dizziness
Sneezing
Runny Eyes/Nose
Headaches
Coughing
Shortness of Breath
These are just a few of the possible symptoms people can have from long term exposure to mold. If there is anyone in the residence with asthma, the asthma symptoms may be more pronounced, and there are even links between mold and certain types of depression. The absolute worst case scenario is mold actually infecting the lungs, which can result in fungal pneumonia, but this is rare, and requires a combination of severe mold infestation, long term exposure and sensitivity.
You should be able to detect mold in your home from the smell, the musty odor that is normally associated with basements and attics, which is where mold is commonly found. Visually you should keep an eye out for discolored patches on your walls or floors. They may be grey, white or black depending on the type of mold, of which there is a huge variety. For more accurate identification, a Lancaster mold remediation team will have the knowledge to pick out the harmful or toxic molds.
What To Do About Mold
Getting rid of mold in your home breaks down into two equally important steps: treatment and prevention. Treatment may be handled by home owners if the infestation is small and in a relatively easy and accessible space, such as bathroom tile, where the mold can’t penetrate into the nonporous tile and is exposed and vulnerable on the surface. In such circumstances, ordinary retail mold killing products and a little elbow grease will be enough to do the job. On more serious infestations, especially the kind that have taken over a sizable space like a crawlspace or attic, and have penetrated into the walls or floors, for maximum efficiency and safety you should contact a Lancaster mold remediation team. This is a situation that will require experience and expertise, as well as specialized equipment such as air filtration masks for health safety.
The first thing the team will do in more extensive infestations is gauge how serious the situation is, and pinpoint the reasons the mold was able to settle in and grow the colony. The type of infestation will also determine what kind of treatment the team will need. If the mold is on the concrete walls of your basement, that will necessitate one kind of treatment, but if the mold has infested your drywall in one part of your home, and even gotten into the lumber construction behind it, a completely different method will be required.
From there, the team will purify the air, as the density of spores is what presents the biggest health hazard. After the purification process, they will tackle the mold itself. A chemical referred to as a Biocide is what is normally used in this procedure, and for the sake of safety and thoroughness, the team will usually use it throughout the entire room that the mold is found in, not just the space where it is visible.
When the room has been cleared of mold, a layer of specialized, chemical whitewash may be applied to the space. Just because the mold in the space has been killed, it doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. The airborne nature of mold spores means that in time spores will enter the space again, looking for a suitable colony site. This whitewash acts as a chemical barrier, further preventing mold from finding the ideal conditions it discovered in the first place when the colony began.
After the completion of the treatment phase comes the next step, prevention. Mold can colonize a structure in a variety of ways, but the elements common to many infestations are humidity and darkness, which is why Pennsylvania’s humid summers can sometimes play a critical role. In this prevention phase, the mold remediation Lancaster, PA team will look at your “points of entry,” and implement a preventive measure, such as recommending the installation of a dehumidifier, or treating the walls of your basement to waterproof them and prevent leaks from frequently occurring. Whatever factors made your home an inviting place to mold colonies will be removed at this point.
If you’re living in Lancaster and think you have a mold problem you’d like help with. Just contact AA Action Waterproofing for a consultation. We have the experience and equipment to handle your situation.